Saturday, March 08, 2025
Monday, March 03, 2025
Publishing Portal--March 3, 2025
The latest news from Eckhartz Press, and a chance to peek into some of the great previous offerings from our humble little publishing company.
National Woman's Month
=March is National Woman's month, and we wouldn't be where we are today without the contributions of our female authors. We've published more than 20 books written by talented women, including three Pats (Pat Camalliere, Pat Motto, Pat Colander ) and two Vickis (Vicki Atkinson, Vicki Quade), plus Jeanne Bellezzo, M.L Collins, Jessica Hagy, Beth Jacobellis, Judy Ann Jamerson, Margaret Larkin, Lauren LoGiudice, Deena Mendes, Kristin Oakley, Lori Oster, Becky Sarwate, Maggie Smith, Kim Strickland, Felitzitas Sudendorf, Janet Sutherland (who won a children's book award this week), Deb Tokarz, and Ann R. Wilson. We can't thank them enough.
=Dan McNeil was making the rounds in his native Northwest Indiana this past week. He appeared on the Tom Lounges radio show on Tuesday night, then made a few library appearances in Highland and Merrillville this past weekend. Thanks so much to everyone who came out!
=This week (March 5) is also the birthday of former Bears quarterback Justin Fields. Dan McNeil wrote about Fields in I Bear Witness.
=This week is Flip Side week in Northwest Indiana. Author Ken Churilla is also a native of the area, and tomorrow night (Tuesday) he'll be on with Tom Lounges. The interview/music program airs live from 7-8pm Central and can be streamed live in real time on the station website at: www.lakeshorepublicmedia.org.
=He'll then will make treks to the two local libraries on Saturday March 8th. Details below.
=If you haven't seen it yet, the March issue of Illinois Entertainer is out and includes an interview with Flip Side co-owner (and author) Larry Rosenbaum.
=The Flip Side is still getting great reviews. Click on this one below to read it.
=Big event this week for Chili Dog...
🚨 Join Chicago SABR for a special Dick Allen Hall of Fame celebration 3/8/25 at 10:00 am at the Elmhurst Public Library 🚨
— SABRChicago (@SABRChicago) February 22, 2025
We will review Allen’s career, visit his hometown of Wampum, PA, and speak with authors John Owens and Dr. David Fletcher, along with Richard Allen Jr. pic.twitter.com/C2vYqGd4jt
=Of course, there's a reason that date was chosen. Dick Allen, the star of the book Chili Dog MVP, was born March 8,1942. Chili Dog MVP was released on his birthday in 2022. This summer Dick will be inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame and the entire Chili Dog MVP crew will be on hand to witness the festivities
=Last Comiskey author Ken Smoller will be there too. He's now the official photographer of the Dick Allen Hall of Fame celebration.
=Two of the people Ken features in Last Comiskey are celebrating birthdays this week as well. Former White Sox pitchers Scott Radinsky (March 3) and Wayne Edwards (March 7).
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=The lucky 250 early purchasers of The Kiss of Night will begin receiving their autographed copies in the coming days. For the rest of you, we have some good news. Author Mark Wukas has scheduled his official Book Launch party. Come one, come all. It will be on Saturday April 5th, from 1-3pm at is/was brewing in the tap room at 5121 N. Ravenswood in Chicago.
=Two Loopers are celebrating birthdays this week, Laura Witek (March 4) and Scott Dirks (March 5). Both tell great stories in the book, including the stories behind these photos.
=NBC news anchor Lester Holt made news this week when he announced he will soon be stepping down from that show. This week's birthday boy (March 8) is also featured in the pages of Rich King's book Ike & Me.
=Rick Kaempfer is hard at work on the 7th edition of EveryCubEver, which should be coming out around opening day in Chicago. In the meantime, he has been posting daily EveryCubEver profiles on the Just One Bad Century facebook page and his personal Blue Sky page. Here's an example from last week...
EveryCubEver. Grover Cleveland Alexander. His 373 wins are the third most in baseball history. His story was told in the film The Winning Team, starring Ronald Reagan. Grover remains the only player in baseball history to be named after a president, and portrayed in a movie by a president.
— Rick Kaempfer (@rickkaempfer.bsky.social) February 26, 2025 at 11:36 AM
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=Author Bobby Skafish was making the publicity rounds this week in 2017 talking about his Eckhartz Press book We Have Company: Four Decades of Rock and Roll Encounters. Among his appearances, a visit to WCIU-TV's morning show.
=Legendary Bears safety Doug Plank celebrates a birthday this week (March 4). This is what he had to say about Your Dime My Dance Floor author Chet Coppock...
"When I think of Chicago sports, I think of Chet Coppock. Chet is everywhere and he knows everyone. He has done everything there is to do in sports reporting and broadcasting."
=Janet Guthrie is a trailblazing female race car driver. Her birthday is March 7. Chet Coppock got to know Guthrie during his days in Indianapolis, and wrote about her in Your Dime My Dance Floor.
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=This week in 2020, Roger Badesch's book The Unplanned Life became available for the first time via pre-sale. It immediately garnered praise from the dean of Chicago media. (Photo: L-R: Rick Kaempfer, Roger Badesch, Rick Kogan)
“You may think you know Roger Badesch if you have listened over the years to his exact and artful news reports on radio, but between the covers of this book you will find so much more–a man of great depth, many passions and skills. His is a wonderful life that you can now share.”
Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, WGN Radio
=Chuck Quinzio's harrowing tale of his life as a TV News cameraman has fans from across the spectrum, including Rob Reiner, who is celebrating a birthday this week (March 6)
=Chicago media critic Robert Feder wrote that one of the highlights of Joel Daly's memoir The Daly News was the inclusion of a few examples of his nightly commentaries from the Channel 7 News in the 1970s. One of those was delivered on the air this week (March 8) in 1972. You can read that free excerpt from Joel's book here.
=On March 7, 2013, The Living Wills became the first Eckhartz Press book to be used in a high school's literature curriculum. Co-author Brendan Sullivan was on hand at Marist High School the day it was introduced at the school.
=Pat Colander's book would go on to become the CWA Book of the Year in 2016. One of the book's biggest fans was Saturday Night Live alumnus Tim Kazurinsky, who is celebrating a birthday this week (March 3). Here's what Tim had to say...
As Paul Simon bookended…”Time it was, and what a time it was….A time of innocence. A time of confidences.” Chicago in the ’70’s was surreal, scary and freaking hilarious. My Second City kith and kin may have found brighter lights in N.Y. and L.A. — but we were spawned and fermented at North and Wells. Good thing Pat Colander thought to take notes and chronicle everything.
=Author Randy Richardson is a die-hard Cubs fan, so naturally his murder mystery takes place in Wrigleyville. Fellow Cubs author Stuart Shea provided this blurb for the back cover of the book...
"Randy Richardson’s Lost in the Ivy expertly captures the weirdness and excitement of the streets that the Chicago Cubs—baseball’s weirdest and most exciting franchise—call home. And aside from being a terrific “I’ve been there” walk through Wrigleyville, it’s a cracking murder mystery to boot!"
Stuart Shea, author of "Wrigley Field: The Unauthorized Biography" and "Wrigley Field: THE LONG LIFE AND CONTENTIOUS TIMES OF THE FRIENDLY CONFINES"
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=Randy Merkin's behind-the-scenes look at sports talk radio is full of great pictures of Randy with the movers and shakers of the Chicago sports world, including this week's birthday boy, Chicago Cubs Cy Young Award winning pitcher Jake Arietta (March 6).
Sunday, March 02, 2025
Free Kicks
Our latest episode is a good primer for the upcoming Round of 16 games in the Champions League this week. radiomisfits.com/fk242/
— Rick Kaempfer (@rickkaempfer.bsky.social) March 2, 2025 at 2:44 PM
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Monday, February 24, 2025
Publishing Portal--February 24, 2025
The latest news from Eckhartz Press, and a chance to peek into some of the great previous offerings from our humble little publishing company.
=The books are coming in this week, and author Mark Wukas has agreed to sign the first 250 copies. Wish him luck. His arm should be cramping around book number 50. The Kiss of Night ships out to everyone who ordered it next week. Details coming soon about his launch party.
=Next week it's Flip Side's turn. Author Ken Churilla is making the same appearances in Indiana. Next Tuesday night (March 4) he'll be on Tom Lounge's NPR radio show. The interview/music program airs live from 7-8pm Central and can be streamed live in real time on the station website at: www.lakeshorepublicmedia.org.
=The following Saturday (March 8), you'll have two chances to meet Ken in person. He'll be at the Highland branch of the Lake County Public library (2841 Jewett St) from 10-12pm, and then shuffle over to the Merrillville branch (1919 81st Ave) from 2-4pm.
=It would only be appropriate if you lined up outside each of the branches of the library the night before the signings to recreate the magic of The Flip Side.
=Thursday night 15 former Loopers gathered for drinks in Brookfield. See if you can spot any of them in the photo. Among them former Brandmeier show members (Artie Kennedy, Brendan Sullivan, Jimmy Mac), former Kevin Matthews show members (Cara Carriveau, Geli Corbett, Wendy Snyder), former Steve & Garry show members (Leslie Keiling, Stan Lawrence, Rick Kaempfer), former Danny Bonaduce show members (Neil Sant, Joy Masada, Joe Kraslen), former promotions gurus (Anne Marie Kennedy, Bridget Kaempfer) and former big cheese Larry Wert. All of them are in the book.
=The Loop Files goes international. This photo was sent to us by Jim Danner with the message "A great read as we pull into Martinique!"
Ken Korber
=Korber is the king of the Eckhartz Press childrens book. We have published quite a few of them. This week he chatted with Chicken Soup for the Soul's Jack Canfield (photo) about those books, and Jack told him that his work was "akin to Chicken Soup for young readers."
=One of the Korber books in the Eckhartz Press catalogue got a great review this week from Prarie Book Review.
Korber’s child-friendly prose leans into the absurd, turning Marvin’s hair into an unstoppable force of chaos. The rhyme and rhythm of the text add to the escalating absurdity, making Marvin’s suffering all the more comical. His woes are exaggerated but relatable. Korber plays up the humor in Marvin’s stubbornness, while Grace steps in as the friend who sees the obvious solution. Jaime Buckley’s vibrant illustrations crank up the humor. The art doesn’t just complement the text: it amplifies it, turning Marvin’s exaggerated misery into pure visual comedy.
=Eckhartz Press author Lee Kingsmill made another appearance over the weekend on WGN Radio (Steve & Johnnie show)...
=Beth Jacobellis launched her debut novel this week in 2018, Cameo. Here she is getting her very first copy of the book.
=Rick Kaempfer is hard at work on the 7th edition of EveryCubEver, which should be coming out around opening day in Chicago. In the meantime, he has been posting daily EveryCubEver profiles on the Just One Bad Century facebook page and his personal Blue Sky page. Here's an example from last week...
=An incredible example of life imitating art. In 2023 Will Wagner released his novel Talking 'Bout My Generation, which was about what happened to Pete Townshend's guitar after he tossed it into the crowd at Woodstock. This week in 2024, Paul McCartney's bass was returned to him after being lost in 1961.
Leslie Keiling
=This week in 2019, just a few weeks after Pat Colander's death, Lit Pop published a wonderful tribute to the author of Hugh Hefner's First Funeral.
=How interesting was Eckhartz Press author Chet Coppock's life? This week in 2014 (Feb 27) he told the tale of the time He once wrestled a bear. He also knew how to promote. I'm sure Tony Randall (born Feb 26) and Jack Klugman were happy to have his help.
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=This time of year is the busy season for movie expert/Eckhartz Press author Eric Litt. This week in 2022 Eric appeared on the Nick DiGilio podcast to talk about some examples from the past when the Oscars got it wrong.
=This week he'll make his fifth appearance on Minutia Men Celebrity Interview, picking this year's Oscar winners. (Pod drops on Wednesday)
=One of the most compelling parts of the family memoir written by the Gentile brothers is the intersection of the mob and Hollywood. For instance, stories about two people who would have been celebrating birthdays this week, Jackie Gleason (Feb 26) and Elizabeth Taylor (Feb 27) appear in the pages of Mob Adjacent.
=This week in 2014, Joel Daly was making the publicity rounds promoting his Eckhartz Press memoir about his legendary television career. This is the audio of his interview with WGN radio, along with a photo below.
=Here's an example of Joel in action from 1983, reporting on the biggest television event from the 1980s, the final episode of M*A*S*H. How big was it? Joel was reporting for Channel 7 (ABC) about a show that was airing on Channel 2 (CBS). Still one of the most watched shows in history (2/28/83).
=This week (Feb 28) is the anniversary of late WGN radio morning man Bob Collins' birth. Chuck Swirsky worked with Collins for many years and writes about him in the pages of his Eckhartz Press book Always a Pleasure. He also tells that story in this podcast. Another one of Swirsky's favorites is also celebrating a birthday this week (February 25), former Bull Joakim Noah.
Jerry Reinsdorf
=Would you believe that White Sox & Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf turns 89 years old this week (Feb 25)? He also appears in three different Eckhartz Press books. You'll find stories and photos of him in Rich King's book Ike & Me, Chet Coppock's book Your Dime My Dance Floor and Chuck Swirky's book Always a Pleasure.
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=Speaking of the White Sox, this week in 2022, Eckhartz Press authors John Owens and Dr. David Fletcher appeared on Rick Kogan's radio show to talk about their book Chili Dog MVP. Kogan is a big White Sox fan and loved the tale about Dick Allen and the 1972 White Sox.
=This week in 2014, Eckhartz Press author Chuck Quinzio was getting some love from the NABAT Union.
=CBS broadcaster James Brown is celebrating a birthday this week (February 25). James was kind enough to provide this endorsement for Randy Merkin's Eckhartz Press book...
“While we cherish champions in the world of sports, we cheer louder for champions in the game of life. Character, integrity and honesty matter. That sums up Randy Merkin.”
=This week in 2017, New City debuted in Chicago. The Chicago publication gave this wonderful testimonial to Donald G. Evans' collection of short stories An Off-White Christmas
- With offhand grace and humor, Evans captures the characters’ burning desires to escape from in-between stages of their lives and their disappointment at the outcome. Illustrations by Hannah Jennings throughout the book resemble ornaments that could hang on a Christmas tree.
Saturday, February 22, 2025
Monday, February 17, 2025
Publishing Portal--February 17, 2025
The latest news from Eckhartz Press, and a chance to peek into some of the great previous offerings from our humble little publishing company.
=Our latest book is flying off the shelves (metaphorically--it's still a pre-sale at this point). If you want to know why people are so excited, read this Q&A with author Mark Wukas. Or, check out these blurbs from some of the most respected journalists in America.
=Mark your calendars, The Flip Side authors Ken Churilla and Larry Rosenbaum will be appearing at the record show in Countryside on March 23rd. Larry will also be appearing at the Illinois Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 19th along with fellow Eckhartz Press authors Rick Kaempfer and Mitch Michaels, plus rock stars like Jim Peterik and Scott May, and rock photographers/authors Jim Summaria and Mark Plotnick. More details to come.
=Also, Larry will be featured in the March issue of Illinois Entertainer, which comes out on March 1. Fitting that the former record store owner will once again be in every record store in the state.
=Here's one from the archives. This week in 1977 (February 16), Genesis performed at the Auditorium in Chicago. That show was presented by The Flip Side's concert arm. The Rosenbaum brothers Carl and Larry pose backstage with the band.
=This week in 2011 (February 17), Dave Duerson tragically took his own life. Dan McNeil knew Duerson well and wrote a touching tribute to him in his book I Bear Witness.
=Daily Herald writer Jim Slusher's book To Nudge the World is a collection of his excellent essays from the newspaper over the past 25 years. The one he wrote this week in 2000 (February 17) seems to really have resonance today. It's about something that has slowly eroded in the years since it was written, objective reporting. That piece alone is worth the price of admission.
=Also Eckhartz Press extends our deepest condolences to Jim on the death of his mother. Just last summer she got to hold a copy of the book in her hands, and it's hard not to see the pride she felt...
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=Rick Kaempfer is working hard on the updated 7th edition. We're hoping to have it out for opening day. In the meantime, you should follow him at Just One Bad Century on Facebook (or on Blue Sky rickkaempfer.bsky.social). Every day he posts something from EveryCubEver. For instance, this was the entry for Lincoln's birthday last week...
=Vicki Atkinson's memoir about growing up with a very difficult mother has been out for a few years now, but is still getting incredible reviews. Check out this one from military officer Edward Ortiz.
Happy birthday Michael Jordan!
=The greatest player in basketball history appears in three different Eckhartz Press books. As he turns 62 today (February 17), we imagine him perusing the pages of Behind The Glass by Randy Merkin, Signature Shoes by Ryan Trembath and Your Dime, My Dance Floor by Chet Coppock. This photo is in Chet's book...
=This was the week in 2014 when Joel Daly began making the rounds to promote his book The Daly News. The book got a great review from Robert Feder (Feb 19). And then Joel appeared on the WGN-TV Morning News. (Feb 20)
Records Truly is My Middle Name
=Two of the most memorable stories in John Landecker's memoir Records Truly Is My Middle Name involve two men who are both celebrating a birthday this week (Feb 18), Dennis DeYoung (Styx) and John Travolta. Dennis tells the tale about the first time he heard his song "Lady" on the radio. It was played by John Landecker on WLS. Dennis really paints a picture of the excitement of the moment. But probably the best story in the book revolves around a John Landecker/John Travolta appearance at Woodfield Mall. It's captured here on tape. It's captured below in a photograph.
=This week in 2016 (February 19), Rich King joined the Chicago Blackhawks at the White House as they visited President Obama. This photo from that day (with fellow sportscaster Jim Rose) appears in the pages of Rich's 2022 memoir Ike & Me.
=This week in 2022, with the pandemic still not fully contained, Bob Boone made an appearance at The Book Stall in Winnetka. Masks were still required.
=This week in 2022 (Feb 19), Randy Merkin also made an appearance in Homewood, Illinois to promote his book. A few photos are here. Former Bears receiver Tom Waddle, who is celebrating a birthday this week (Feb 20), had this to say about Randy...“Randy is an incredible radio talent. His vast knowledge of the business and bottomless pool of contacts are unmatched. I’ve learned a lot about the business from Randy. His talent is only exceeded by his loyalty and integrity. Randy is the best!!!”
=You know who else loves Randy? Another person celebrating a birthday this week (February 20). A man who rates his own chapter in Behind the Glass, Charles Barkley (shown below with Randy).
=This week in 2022 was a busy one, because Ryan Trembath also released the audiobook version of his book Signature Shoes (February 20). You can find it here.
=Randy Richardson and Becky Sarwate interviewed comedian/actor Ike Barinholtz for their Eckhartz Press book Cubsessions. Ike tells the story of his love for his hometown Cubs. Happy birthday Ike! (Feb 18)
=This week in 2012, Rick and Brendan did a presentation about using improv techniques to write. You can see a little bit of that here. One big fan of the book, CSI star William Petersen is celebrating a birthday this week (Feb 21). This is what he had to say about Eckhartz Press's debut release...…a hell of an old-fashioned read. It brings to life ‘the city of broad shoulders’ and makes me homesick. I want a Billy Goat cheesborger and a shot of whiskey.
